Labour shows true colours on screen industry

Labour has shown its true colours by promising to
undermine the progress of New Zealand’s screen sector and
reintroduce uncertainty into screen contracts for the
benefit of Australian-run unions, Minister for Arts Culture
and Heritage Christopher Finlayson said today.

“This government saved the production of the three
Hobbit films in Wellington after Australian unions, backed
up by Labour Party MPs, tried to derail filming at the last
minute,” Mr Finlayson said. “Labour wants to turn back
the clock on the progress of the last six years which has
seen the government put in place a stable regulatory
environment for international productions, and provide
appropriate incentives to develop a sustainable domestic
screen sector.”

“This government introduced
legislation that clarified the distinction between
independent contractors and employees as it relates to the
film production industry. It formalised widespread industry
practice, and removed uncertainty for producers, cast and
crew, that the unions had threatened to exploit in order to
hold up productions and stop people from working.”

“The New Zealand branch of the MEAA and the Labour
Party were used as pawns by the Australian unions, who have
no interest in a flourishing screen sector in New Zealand
and who had already driven significant productions and jobs
out of Australia with their wrecking tactics.”

“Arts and culture has always been regarded merely as a
photo op portfolio for Labour MPs,” Mr Finlayson said.
“Their latest policy announcement shows that for all their
hand wringing, Labour MPs don’t care about the livelihoods
of the actors, technicians and crew who pursue a living in
the screen sector. They are looking back, not
forward.”

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